Taylor has played only one reserve game since his sending-off against Arsenal nearly five weeks ago for the tackle which left Eduardo with a broken leg.

He is vying with Franck Queudrue, Rafael Schmitz and Radhi Jaidi for a place at the heart of the defence against Sven-Goran Eriksson's side.

McLeish said: "Taylor is in contention, Queudrue is in contention, Schmitz is in contention.

"We have choices there and we've got to find what we feel is the right formula for any particular game.

"We've tried Franck (Queudrue) at centre-back in recent reserve games and he's solid in there.

"He is very aggressive in the air and I know he has played there before for Middlesbrough so there is an option there.

"I know Jaidi has taken a bit of criticism for losing his marker for the deciding goal at Reading but I don't think he has played badly and I am very loathe to decimate the team every other week.

"Martin Taylor is ready fitness-wise but I have got to consider if it significantly improves the team.

"I think most of our centre-halves are a much of a muchness. There is good competition between them and I don't think there has been one that is clearly more outstanding than another and they are all justifiably fighting for a spot."